KUCHING: The Sarawak Bumiputera Teachers Union (KGBS) has expressed hope that the admission process for the five universities in Sarawak will not rely solely on meritocracy.
KGBS president Zulkiflee Sebli said there should be a small quota for students who may need additional support to further their studies at higher education institutions in the state.
“We were actually surprised by Deputy Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development, Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee’s statement on this issue.
適GBS is concerned that if the merit-based system is implemented for student selection at higher education institutions in Sarawak, it could create a significant disparity among ethnic groups at these institutions,・ he said when contacted by New Sarawak Tribune.
He also understands that under a meritocratic system, students will need to work very hard to achieve the best possible results in their respective exams due to the intense competition.
“For students who are less successful, they will be left behind and will not have the opportunity to continue their studies.
“This would be a loss and a disappointment for families who hope to see their children succeed in obtaining a degree,” he added.
Zulkiflee further stated that, in other words, the dream of a family to see one of their members become a graduate may not be realised.
“Therefore, the decision to use the merit system should be reviewed and reconsidered to ensure there is no significant gap between Bumiputera and non-Bumiputera students.
“A special quota should be provided for Bumiputera students, alongside adjustments to the selection criteria to enable Bumiputera students who may be less successful academically to continue their studies at these institutions,” he stressed.
Recently, Dr Annuar announced that admissions into the five state-owned universities in Sarawak will be based solely on meritocracy.
The five universities are Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus, Curtin University Malaysia, University of Technology Sarawak, i-CATS University College, and the Centre for Technology Excellence Sarawak (Centexs).
Dr Annuar stated that student enrolment into these universities will no longer follow a quota-based system.
